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Best Credit Cards for 2013
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There is no one-size-fits-all credit card. Depending on what you want to get out of your card and your lifestyle, here are the best credit cards of 2013.
There is no one-size-fits-all credit card. Everyone is looking to get something different out of their credit cards depending on what their situations are.
Someone who travels a lot wouldn’t get the same card as a student, just as someone with a lot of debt wouldn’t have the same card as a high-income earner with impeccable credit. There are some great rewards cards out there for the people who are interested in (and can afford) them. However, there’s also the perfect card out there for someone with a lot of debt.
Even if you are the person with a lot of debt, you can’t avoid credit cards all together — in fact, for some people it’s easier to avoid cash and instead always pay with a credit card.
NerdWallet.com has come up with the top 10 credit cards for 2013, no matter what your lifestyle is.
Best overall
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $59; waived the first year
This card is particularly good for travelers since they earn two No Hassle Miles per $1 spent and the card has no foreign transaction fee.
Best bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Annual fee: $95; waived the first year
Cardholders receive one point per $1 spent and two points per $1 spent on travel and dining. This card is good for travelers to take the bonus and run, according to NerdWallet. If you spend $3,000 in the first three months then you receive 40,000 rewards points.
Best for food and fuel
American Express Blue Cash
Annual fee: $75
The fee is more than offset in the first year with a $150 signup bonus. Better for a homebody than a jetsetter, the card offers 6% cash back up a year on up to $6,000 spent on groceries, plus 3% at department stores and gas stations and 1% everywhere else.
Best no-fee rewards card
Capital One Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus
Annual fee: None
Maybe you don’t travel enough or spend enough to justify the annual fee, but you don’t want to miss out. This card gives you a $100 signup bonus and 1.5% cash back on all purchases. There are no rewards caps, bonus categories or points.
Best for bad credit
Capital One Secured
Annual fee: $29, plus a minimum security deposit of $200
If you’re trying to rehabilitate your credit, then Capital One is one of the more flexible lenders. You can pay the deposit in installments if needed and you never touch that money again until you close the account.
Best for average credit
Capital One Cash Rewards
Annual fee: $39
Cardholders earn back 1% on all purchases; rewards never expire and there are no caps.
Best business card
Chase Ink Cash
Annual fee: No fee (there are two versions with annual fees of $95)
Good for small business owners, there is 0% APR on purchases and transfers for the first year, which is great if you’re starting out or need to make any big purchases one year. Plus this card is great on rewards:
5% cash back on office supplies; wireless, landline and communication services; and cable (up to $25,000 spent a year)
2% back on gas and restaurants (up to $25,000 spent a year)
If you spent $3,000 in the first three months, you get $200 cash back
